Celebrating Diversity: Multicultural Picture Books With Dr Shih-Wen Sue Chen

National Library of Australia

Think about the children’s books that you see on the selves of Australian bookstores. How many of these books provide insight into non-Western cultures? How many are translations? Multicultural books are important because they can provide windows into other cultures and introduce readers to new ideas. They can also help readers from under-represented groups see themselves reflected in literature. This talk will highlight a range of multicultural picture books that celebrate cultural diversity, focusing on the relationship between word and image and how the verbal and the visual elements work together to produce a dynamic story.